VRAM Overheating on PhN16-72 with RTX 4060 - Recommendation on a heat pad or liquid metal?

Anasnarooeii
Anasnarooeii Member Posts: 2 New User
in Predator Laptops

Hi everyone, I have been using my Acer Predator Helios 16 phn16-72 for about a year now.

Equipped with: - Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX - GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB (140W TGP) - Display: 16-inch QHD (2560x1600) - RAM: 32 GB DDR5 - Memory: 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD system works great and the core temperature of the processor and GPU during the game and stress tests is in the normal range. However, I am constantly facing problems with overheating VRAM. Problem Details: - During the 2K game (QHD resolution), VRAM temperature reaches 86 to 90 degrees Celsius, even at moderate ambient temperatures. - Reducing in-game graphics settings is hardly helpful; Temperatures at best drop to 80 to 82 degrees Celsius. - This happens in several titles, including Battlefield V and The Last of Us Part II. - The GPU core stays cool (up to 75 degrees Celsius), so the problem seems to be unique. to VRAM modules. My questions: 1. Does replacing standard heat pads on VRAM with higher quality pads (for example, 12-14 W / MK) help significantly? 2. If I open the system to replace VRAM thermal pads, should I also consider using liquid metal for CPU and GPU molds, or if their temperature is already good, I should not do so. Has anyone else with this model encountered the same thermal problems as VRAM and what worked best for you? My goal is long-term thermal stability without compromising warranty or safety. Any insight or advice will be very welcome. Thank you in advance!

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 18,745 Trailblazer
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/728483/vram-overheating-on-phn16-72-with-rtx-4060-recommendation-on-a-heat-pad-or-liquid-metal

    Hi Anasnarooeii

    Your PHN16-72 with RTX 4060 shows elevated VRAM temps (86–90°C) even when GPU core stays under control. Before replacing thermal pads or using liquid metal, I suggest trying this:

    1. Disable Processor Performance Boost Mode
      • Go to Edit Power Plan → Advanced Power Settings → Processor power management → Processor performance boost mode.
      • Set both On battery and Plugged in to Disabled.

    This limits CPU boost behavior and helps reduce internal heat buildup, which can indirectly lower VRAM temps.

    1. Use Balanced power plan with Best power efficiency
      • Go to Settings → System → Power & battery → Power mode.
      • Select Best power efficiency under the Balanced plan.

    These steps are reversible and won’t affect warranty. Let me know if you want help logging thermal behavior before and after changes.

    Turbo boost disabled.jpg
  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 15,301 Trailblazer
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/728483/vram-overheating-on-phn16-72-with-rtx-4060-recommendation-on-a-heat-pad-or-liquid-metal

    Firstly, I don’t recommend changing and/or altering any of the default cpu or gpu performance power management or performance boosts of your PHN16-72 model OS settings, leave everything at default settings, as altering these settings will affect other aspects of performance in your laptop as its a vicious loop.

    Be aware that your Predator Helios Neo model PHN16-72-xxxx with its 14th Gen Intel i9-14900HX cpu was released with a flaw in its design and its cpu microcode that made them overheat, so they are vulnerable to overheating. It is essential and you must make sure that you have the last bios version 1.17 installed in your PHN16-72-xxxx laptop, as this bios also has the bios with the cpu microcode fix that “Update MCU to 0x129 for 2024.4 IPU security update” that is supposed to fix this cpu overheating issues.

    I strongly suggest that you also use liquid metal on the cpu and gpu also (btw, I’ve just done a full clean and repase and pad change to my PHN16-71-50JG model 13th Gen cpu laptop) and the result was a reduction in its temps between 15°C -20°C and up to 30°C with my Thermaltake Massive 12 Max Notebook Cooler as liquid metal is a superior thermal heat paste for especially laptops that their cpu and gpu chips overheat allot more than desktops, only apply a very thin layer and make sure that i=this liquid never ever spills underneath the cpu or gpu chips or onto any chip on the mainboard.

    Note: that all NVidia new series 50 gpu’s cards use liquid metal paste on their gpu chip and the best thermal vram insulator is to use a high quality thermal pad, use that link as it outlines there which is the best pad to use. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

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